I hate how helpless I feel when all this trauma happens. I feel so fortunate to live in Europe and could offer my home to Ukrainian refugees. We currently have a mother, daughter (14), and son (6) living with us until they can settle permanently here. The support they've received from Germany and our small community has been overwhelming. I feel so lucky to live in a country that still promotes life over "liberty" and genuinely cares about it's population. It's so exhausting to be constantly asked by non-Americans, "what is wrong with your country?". I have no answers anymore and I don't know what to do anymore. I feel so stuck.
I was raised to believe that the opposite of morality is not immorality; it’s indifference. Simply put, I was taught that indifference, the antithesis of empathy and understanding, too often, leads to acceptance of the unacceptable, be it immediate or remote. Hence, when someone who has power, for example, says, “We cannot do this or that.” Why? “Because so much money would be needed. We don’t have the money. Or housing would be required. We don’t have the housing.”—I would like to think, even if I expected I would not succeed, neither would I submit.
I suppose my point is that, at least for me, the antidote to despair derives from exercising those choices that make a person humane—and uniquely human.
We cannot turn our backs on the pain of others. The knowledge that we could suffer the same or similar fate is only part of the reality. It's just plain wrong that has been and is being done, and will continue to be done without as strong a pushback as possible. I contribute to Inequality Media as much as I can and other worthy sites. I make sure i get enough rest and support my relatives in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota) who are experiencing flooding of their home. I speak the truth to power about what legislation needs to be passed, and who may be able to get it done .and give what support I can to those incumbents and candidates. We need decency!
A few days ago, a woman posted on a local neighborhood site that she and her daughter needed some food. She's living in a subsidized housing unit while awaiting HUD housing. After verifying that she was real and this was a legitimate request, that she had the facilities and means to prepare food, I bought her a couple of weeks' worth of groceries. On my way to deliver them, I drove past several people standing with signs at various intersections in the city. I averted my eyes. I was on my way to help a hungry family and just couldn't help everyone else that needed help enroute. The needs are greater than my resources. They're recurring. If I sold everything I owned and gave it to the poor, I'd become one of them and doubt if a single one would be lifted out of poverty by my actions.
This is small scale and I believe that's where change begins. Maybe, that woman's daughter will grow up to be the president or to lead great social change because of her youthful experience.
The emotional toll of national and international events, though, is crushing. It amplifies the local needs.
I learned about the June 11th March for our Lives and immediately looked up the location of the nearest march. I'm going to Ithaca, NY on that day even though I have two knee replacements and am 77yo. I knew this would happen when the assault weapons ban was allowed to expire. No, the 2nd amendment doesn't cover assault weapons!! We can and must get rid of them again!
Thank you professor. I feel helpless and hopeless. That may be my mental illness speaking or it may be my history. I am in physical and mental pain, much of the time. I would argue, that much of what is wrong with the world, has it roots in acts, and inaction, that occurred over all of my adult life, and much of your adult life. I have lost, and am continuing to lose, much. I think about a fictional candidate for president. “I am here to tell you that hope is real, in a life of trials and a world of challenges hope is real…..In a time of global chaos, and instability where our faiths collide as often as our weapon, hope is real. Hope is not up for debate. There’s such a thing as false signs, as false promises but there is no such thing as false hope. There is only hope.” As I have so many times before, and will do many times in the future. I will start from where I am, with what I have, and move toward what I want. I have no choice.
What happened to the hope machine? I saw one comment about hope. Wherever we are, we must see the beauty in nature, each other, and have courage to face. These situations “without words “. It’s been a horrific few weeks. Because we all have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbor littles...wherever, let’s fire up that hope machine, put in the energy needed, and get this turned around. We have no time to lose.
None of us really feel like getting in the fight, however we must! We mobilized and rid ourselves of the worst idiot ever in the WH. We have to keep him and his ilk from coming back. Dan Solomon-what’s that team? Let’s remember the Obama refrain, “Fired Up, Ready To Go!”
Todays substack post is so important considering everything happening worldwide, from Putin’s war on Ukraine to the murder of 19 children and 2 teachers in Texas. We have all been emotionally slammed over the past several years and it’s easy to become overwhelmed, I know that I have been many times, however, what helps me cope a little easier is by doing small things, such as donating to organizations that address each issue. I even bought a painting from Ukrainian artist recently to help support her. As Dr. Reich said, getting involved is another great way to stay focused. I volunteer for a progressive organization, I sign petitions, I make calls, etc., each one individually may not make a huge difference, however when many people get involved too, it can and often does. Turning anger into action can be one of the greatest emotional boosts.
There are no words… this is what I said over and over again about the former occupant of the Peoples House. I simply couldn’t find a word to describe the shame and embarrassment towards those that voted him into office.
There’s a huge disconnect between this laundry list of problems in this country and the elected officials that could have done much more to prevent mass shootings with assault weapons, for starters.
Another group who seem to lack all empathy for those who are not wealthy and powerful are the six Republican Supreme Court justices.
I think the best way to combat the sadness and frustration is to become involved in an advocacy organization or a political campaign, even a local one. I heard a comment that some gun safety legislation now has a better chance in the Senate, because gun safety advocacy organizations have become more numerous and better organized over the past ten years. Feeling that you're making a positive impact is a powerful anti-depressant.
We all can do something no matter how small. Donating our time and dollars to,some of the myriad organizations doing good work. Going one on one with people we know are suffering in our families and communities. And directing efforts especially , too, towards modifying the influence of moneyed interests in our political universe.
Going on with the topic of the susceptibility of emotion to propaganda, we see that Alito’s Manifesto as an emotional appeal, not a valid legal analysis - one test for propaganda is that it may offer concepts in the garb of reason and fact but avoid the application of rational analysis to them in the argument.
One propaganda meme which Alito founds his argument on, is “…that certain rights are constitutionally protected only if they are “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition” and “implicit in the concept of ordered liberty…””
This is analytic dreck. Any decent high school class on the Constitution will recite the Ninth Amendment, twenty-one words reading: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Long before John Marshall analyzed the role of the Supreme Court itself to authoritatively judge the Constitution, these words were right there in the document. Words such as “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition” do not appear there.
One precedent cited in Alito’s argument dated from 1997, which he might consider deeply rooted in precedent (Glucksberg), more so than Roe (1976). One reason that true American Conservatives are predisposed against legal innovation is the claim that there is nothing new under the sun in human behavior; therefore, there is no need for legal innovation to address “new” issues, as they impact humans in a way immaterial to the novelty of the argument.
Distaste for legal innovation is the purpose of the Ninth Amendment, and the Amendment has a deeply conservative intent. It protects against the restriction of freedoms based upon situational innovation. Situations may be novel; humanity is never, according to proper conservative thought. Why, except for the Ninth Amendment, how are we to say that Elon Musk has the right to passage on a self-funded rocket ship, if the Constitution does not mention rocket ships? How can he have the right to do so?
A genuine attempt to author a position on the imagined spectrum of deeply rooted rights versus shallower rights, would have included a central method of analysis of rights from the American legal scholar Wesley Hohfeld in 1913
Briefly, if the spectrum of “rootedness” of rights – remember, a spectrum that was precisely condemned by the Ninth Amendment – would grant government a “privilege,” greater or less, to intrude on these rights, depending on their shallowness. This is an entirely novel analysis of rights and their protection from intrusion. Up to now, in the last quarter-millennium or so, rights only suffer diminution when in conflict with other rights, whether enumerated or not. Alito and the conservatives want to offer worthless rights. A woman has the right to an abortion, to a little teeny bit, but not to the degree she can act upon it.
The flood of intellectual garbage that results from the coloration of rights as deep or shallow is the hallmark of propaganda. Trying to make rational sense of the consequence of such an empty proposition leads to the sort of dense and wordy medley that it has provoked here, for which I apologize for the length.
Alito’s propaganda missive is more densely rooted in Stalinist law, where the zek has the right not to go to Siberia, but still must get on the train. Uncle Joe isn't my idea of legal soundness.
I hate how helpless I feel when all this trauma happens. I feel so fortunate to live in Europe and could offer my home to Ukrainian refugees. We currently have a mother, daughter (14), and son (6) living with us until they can settle permanently here. The support they've received from Germany and our small community has been overwhelming. I feel so lucky to live in a country that still promotes life over "liberty" and genuinely cares about it's population. It's so exhausting to be constantly asked by non-Americans, "what is wrong with your country?". I have no answers anymore and I don't know what to do anymore. I feel so stuck.
I was raised to believe that the opposite of morality is not immorality; it’s indifference. Simply put, I was taught that indifference, the antithesis of empathy and understanding, too often, leads to acceptance of the unacceptable, be it immediate or remote. Hence, when someone who has power, for example, says, “We cannot do this or that.” Why? “Because so much money would be needed. We don’t have the money. Or housing would be required. We don’t have the housing.”—I would like to think, even if I expected I would not succeed, neither would I submit.
I suppose my point is that, at least for me, the antidote to despair derives from exercising those choices that make a person humane—and uniquely human.
I have always had to deal with this... always. Tikkun Olam. My life's work.
We cannot turn our backs on the pain of others. The knowledge that we could suffer the same or similar fate is only part of the reality. It's just plain wrong that has been and is being done, and will continue to be done without as strong a pushback as possible. I contribute to Inequality Media as much as I can and other worthy sites. I make sure i get enough rest and support my relatives in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota) who are experiencing flooding of their home. I speak the truth to power about what legislation needs to be passed, and who may be able to get it done .and give what support I can to those incumbents and candidates. We need decency!
A few days ago, a woman posted on a local neighborhood site that she and her daughter needed some food. She's living in a subsidized housing unit while awaiting HUD housing. After verifying that she was real and this was a legitimate request, that she had the facilities and means to prepare food, I bought her a couple of weeks' worth of groceries. On my way to deliver them, I drove past several people standing with signs at various intersections in the city. I averted my eyes. I was on my way to help a hungry family and just couldn't help everyone else that needed help enroute. The needs are greater than my resources. They're recurring. If I sold everything I owned and gave it to the poor, I'd become one of them and doubt if a single one would be lifted out of poverty by my actions.
This is small scale and I believe that's where change begins. Maybe, that woman's daughter will grow up to be the president or to lead great social change because of her youthful experience.
The emotional toll of national and international events, though, is crushing. It amplifies the local needs.
I learned about the June 11th March for our Lives and immediately looked up the location of the nearest march. I'm going to Ithaca, NY on that day even though I have two knee replacements and am 77yo. I knew this would happen when the assault weapons ban was allowed to expire. No, the 2nd amendment doesn't cover assault weapons!! We can and must get rid of them again!
Thank you professor. I feel helpless and hopeless. That may be my mental illness speaking or it may be my history. I am in physical and mental pain, much of the time. I would argue, that much of what is wrong with the world, has it roots in acts, and inaction, that occurred over all of my adult life, and much of your adult life. I have lost, and am continuing to lose, much. I think about a fictional candidate for president. “I am here to tell you that hope is real, in a life of trials and a world of challenges hope is real…..In a time of global chaos, and instability where our faiths collide as often as our weapon, hope is real. Hope is not up for debate. There’s such a thing as false signs, as false promises but there is no such thing as false hope. There is only hope.” As I have so many times before, and will do many times in the future. I will start from where I am, with what I have, and move toward what I want. I have no choice.
What happened to the hope machine? I saw one comment about hope. Wherever we are, we must see the beauty in nature, each other, and have courage to face. These situations “without words “. It’s been a horrific few weeks. Because we all have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbor littles...wherever, let’s fire up that hope machine, put in the energy needed, and get this turned around. We have no time to lose.
None of us really feel like getting in the fight, however we must! We mobilized and rid ourselves of the worst idiot ever in the WH. We have to keep him and his ilk from coming back. Dan Solomon-what’s that team? Let’s remember the Obama refrain, “Fired Up, Ready To Go!”
Todays substack post is so important considering everything happening worldwide, from Putin’s war on Ukraine to the murder of 19 children and 2 teachers in Texas. We have all been emotionally slammed over the past several years and it’s easy to become overwhelmed, I know that I have been many times, however, what helps me cope a little easier is by doing small things, such as donating to organizations that address each issue. I even bought a painting from Ukrainian artist recently to help support her. As Dr. Reich said, getting involved is another great way to stay focused. I volunteer for a progressive organization, I sign petitions, I make calls, etc., each one individually may not make a huge difference, however when many people get involved too, it can and often does. Turning anger into action can be one of the greatest emotional boosts.
What I do is contribute money -- I try hard to make sure the organizations I'm contributing to are real.
There are no words… this is what I said over and over again about the former occupant of the Peoples House. I simply couldn’t find a word to describe the shame and embarrassment towards those that voted him into office.
There’s a huge disconnect between this laundry list of problems in this country and the elected officials that could have done much more to prevent mass shootings with assault weapons, for starters.
Still… I have no words. 🌻💔
Another group who seem to lack all empathy for those who are not wealthy and powerful are the six Republican Supreme Court justices.
I think the best way to combat the sadness and frustration is to become involved in an advocacy organization or a political campaign, even a local one. I heard a comment that some gun safety legislation now has a better chance in the Senate, because gun safety advocacy organizations have become more numerous and better organized over the past ten years. Feeling that you're making a positive impact is a powerful anti-depressant.
We all can do something no matter how small. Donating our time and dollars to,some of the myriad organizations doing good work. Going one on one with people we know are suffering in our families and communities. And directing efforts especially , too, towards modifying the influence of moneyed interests in our political universe.
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. - Frederic Nietzsche
Going on with the topic of the susceptibility of emotion to propaganda, we see that Alito’s Manifesto as an emotional appeal, not a valid legal analysis - one test for propaganda is that it may offer concepts in the garb of reason and fact but avoid the application of rational analysis to them in the argument.
Hoagland’s Bad History, right here on substack.com, takes on this challenge. See <a href=https://williamhogeland.substack.com/p/all-roads-lead-to-the-glucksberg?s=r>Bad History</a> (I hope the link comes out looking like a snappy reference and not e-spatter.)
One propaganda meme which Alito founds his argument on, is “…that certain rights are constitutionally protected only if they are “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition” and “implicit in the concept of ordered liberty…””
This is analytic dreck. Any decent high school class on the Constitution will recite the Ninth Amendment, twenty-one words reading: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Long before John Marshall analyzed the role of the Supreme Court itself to authoritatively judge the Constitution, these words were right there in the document. Words such as “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition” do not appear there.
One precedent cited in Alito’s argument dated from 1997, which he might consider deeply rooted in precedent (Glucksberg), more so than Roe (1976). One reason that true American Conservatives are predisposed against legal innovation is the claim that there is nothing new under the sun in human behavior; therefore, there is no need for legal innovation to address “new” issues, as they impact humans in a way immaterial to the novelty of the argument.
Distaste for legal innovation is the purpose of the Ninth Amendment, and the Amendment has a deeply conservative intent. It protects against the restriction of freedoms based upon situational innovation. Situations may be novel; humanity is never, according to proper conservative thought. Why, except for the Ninth Amendment, how are we to say that Elon Musk has the right to passage on a self-funded rocket ship, if the Constitution does not mention rocket ships? How can he have the right to do so?
A genuine attempt to author a position on the imagined spectrum of deeply rooted rights versus shallower rights, would have included a central method of analysis of rights from the American legal scholar Wesley Hohfeld in 1913
Briefly, if the spectrum of “rootedness” of rights – remember, a spectrum that was precisely condemned by the Ninth Amendment – would grant government a “privilege,” greater or less, to intrude on these rights, depending on their shallowness. This is an entirely novel analysis of rights and their protection from intrusion. Up to now, in the last quarter-millennium or so, rights only suffer diminution when in conflict with other rights, whether enumerated or not. Alito and the conservatives want to offer worthless rights. A woman has the right to an abortion, to a little teeny bit, but not to the degree she can act upon it.
The flood of intellectual garbage that results from the coloration of rights as deep or shallow is the hallmark of propaganda. Trying to make rational sense of the consequence of such an empty proposition leads to the sort of dense and wordy medley that it has provoked here, for which I apologize for the length.
Alito’s propaganda missive is more densely rooted in Stalinist law, where the zek has the right not to go to Siberia, but still must get on the train. Uncle Joe isn't my idea of legal soundness.
This is perfect. Thank you.